Hello I have a 66 coupe that I love to death but I am having trouble making a decision. She only has 88,000 original miles on the body and the original 6 cylinder. All the paint and body work has been done and not to sound like a jerk but it looks pretty mint. I am currently resoring the inerior, just spending hours cleaning all the original pieces and getting some new goodies as well. Anyway, by the time I am done with this thing it will look like new again and the dilema I am having is whether or not to modify it. I want to build my own V8, go five lug, get the bigger rear end, go to some disk brakes and put some wider wheels and drop it a bit. My dad says that I should finish the restoration and sell it for somewhere in the double digits and get another project. So what would you guys do, I want to daily drive it and fully enjoy all of my hard work so it would be dificult for me to start all over again. I am only a senior in high school so I cant afford to do a complete resto. Well, I am looking for some guidence so I thought I would run by you guys and get some oppinions. Thanks so much for reading all this, and I would appreciate any input. Thanks again, Kyle.

 

If you are of limited means and or time, then I would drive what you have until the wheels fall off. When you have more income at your disposal then go ahead and do the nasty to it. If you take if off of the road now and try to cobble together a V8 setup then I would be willing to bet that you will ultimately be unhappy with the results. Ain't no shame in a straight 6 Classic Mustang.

 

I would most definetely do it right the first time. I take a lot of pride in my vehicles so I would just gather up the goods when I had the proper funds and gradually build her up. Thanks for the reply and advice, I really appreciate it.

 

My advice from a purely, non-emotional financial perspective is to finish the 6-banger stock. Sell it and buy a project that already has the major expenses taken care of or is priced well so that you can use the proceeds towards that end.

Good luck with your decision!

 

For sure get in all of the driving that you can, it wont be so long untill you have a family,a mini-van with a payment, and no time to drive, let alone wrench on your car.

But seriously, keep the car drivable as much as possible. If the car is still what you want after a while, start doing your chasis mods while keeping the car drivable. Save the engine for last. by doing this you shouldn't get in over your head. Nothing is more discouraging than a long term project that you can't drive.

There are plenty of chasis mods that you can do that will make your six safer and more fun to drive that can put you on the path to an 8 without commiting to the swap.

Take your time and keep the wheels on the ground!!

 

Thanks so much for the great advice. Yea, it kills me everytime I look in garage and I can't drive her. I am waiting for a new wiring harness to cure some problems I have been having. So in the mean time I have been doing a bunch of little stuff. I totally understand what your saying though, about keeping the wheels on the ground.

 

x2 on the dont take it apart and think life will let you fix it any time soon... I did that 20 years ago, and just last year I was able to work on it again..

 

Take a few minutes and read up on my website below. My car started out as a six cylinder and has spend many many years going through it's changes. Motor, trans, brakes, suspension, etc...etc... It's all a part of doing it yourself and learning.

If you love the car, and the body & paint are in great shape, then keep it and make the mods. I used to think it was cheaper to just buy a V8 car and build up on it, but the cost of bodywork and paint can nowdays override the cost of the mechanical changes.

Good luck

 

I agree to keep the original 6 and just drive and maintain it. There were more 6 cylinder Mustangs sold in 66 than 289's, so you are certainly not the red headed step child. Little things like a good stereo without cutting the dash, and nice wheels make it more fun. That 200 CID 6 can drive just as fast on the freeway as the law will allow.

 

ya i would keep the 6 and build it up a little that would be the smart thing www.ford-six.com is your friend